Combination portable foldable bassinet and carrying case



Feb. 3, 1970 J. K. COOLIDGE COMBINATION PORTABLE FOLDABLE BAS'SINE'I'AND CARRYING CASE Filed Jan. 23, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ FIG .4

INVE N TOR JOHN K. COOL/06E Feb. 3, 1970 J. K. coouoss 3,492,630

COMBINATION PORTABLE FOLDABLE BASSINE'I AND CARRYING CASE Filed Jan. 23;1968 3Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,492,680 COMBINATION PORTABLEFOLDABLE BASSINET AND CARRYING CASE John K. Coolidge, Reedsburg, Wis.,assignor t0 Hankscraft Company, Reedsburg, Wis., a corporation ofWisconsin Filed Jan. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 699,874

, Int. Cl. A47c 7/00 US. Cl. -99 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thebassinet and carrying case comprises a rectangular bottom wall having apair of spaced apart fold lines therein extending substantially parallelto the shorter edges thereof to define first, second, and third bottomwall portions, a pair of upstanding side panels respectively joined tothe edges adjacent the first bottom wall portion, a first end paneljoined to the side panels and to one shorter edge of the bottom wall todefine a compartment, a pair of sidewalls foldably joined to respectiveones of the longer edges of the bottom wall, a second end panel foldablyjoined to the other shorter edge of the bottom wall and to the shorteredges of the sidewalls adjacent thereto, and fold lines formed in thesidewalls aligned with the fold lines in the bottom wall, the second endpanel and the sidewalls and the bottom wall being foldable to thedisposed within the compartment.

It is an object of this invention to provide a combination portablefoldable bassinet and carrying case which in the folded p-ostiionthereof serves as a case for carrying the bassinet and additionalequipment, and in the unfolded position thereof serves as a crib orbassinet.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable foldablebassinet which is, in the unfolded position thereof, safe and relativelystrong, yet easily folded up.

In summary, the portable foldable bassinet incorporating the features ofthe invention comprises a generally rectangular bottom wall having apair of substantially parallel shorter edges and a pair of substantiallyparallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines formedin the bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to the shorteredges thereof to define a first bottom wall portion located between oneof the shorter edges of the bottom wall and the one of the bottom foldlines nearest thereto, a second bottom wall portion located between thepair of bottom fold lines, and a third bottom wall portion locatedbetween the other of the shorter edges of the bottom wall and the one ofthe bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a pair of upstanding side panelsjoined to the portion of respective ones of the longer edges of thebottom wall adjacent the first bottom wall portion, a first end panelhaving a lower edge joined to the one shorter edge of the bottom wall,the first end panel having a pair of side edges joined to respectiveOnes of the side panels to define a hollow compartment therewith andwith the first bottom wall portion, a pair of sidewalls each having ashorter edge opposite the first end panel and each having a longer edgefoldably joined to respective ones of the longer edges of the bottomwall, a second end panel having a lower edge foldably joined to theother shorter edge of the bottom wall, the second end panel having apair of side edges folda-bly joined to respective ones of the shorteredges of the sidewalls, a pair of parallel side fold lines formed ineach of the side walls and extending substantially parallel to theshorter edges thereof and aligned with respective ones of the bottomfold lines in the bottom wall, a diagonal side fold line formed in theend portion of each of the sidewalls 3,492,680 Patented Feb. 3, 1970adjacent the second end panel and extending diagonally upwardly andtoward the first end panel, the sidewalls being foldable inwardly alongthe longer edge thereof and along the diagonal side fold lines tooverlie the bottom wall, the second end panel being foldable inwardlyalong the lower and side edges thereof and along the diagonal side foldlines to overlie the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the sidewallsbeing respectively foldable along the bottom fold lines and along theparallel side fold lines to a position wherein the second bottom wallportion extends substantially parallel to the first end panel andwherein the second end panel and the sidewalls and the third bottom wallportion are disposed within the compartment.

The portable foldable bassinet may further comprise a pair of spacedapart elongated bottom reinforcement members disposed in the bottom walland extending substantially parallel to and substantially coextensivewith the shorter edges thereof, a pair of spaced apart elongated sidereinforcement members disposed in each of the sidewalls and extendingsubstantially parallel to and substantially coextensive with the shorteredges thereof and aligned with the bottom reinforcement members, andhinges individually joined to the ends of the bottom reinforcementmembers and to adjacent ones of the ends of the side reinforcementmembers, each of the hinges including a limiting device for precludingthe sidewalls from forming an angle greater than approximately with thebottom wall, and a spring biasing device for snapping the sidewalls toportions approximately normal to or parallel to the bottom wall.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the parts whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating featuresthereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination portable foldable bassinetand carrying case constructed in accordance with and embodying theprinciples of the present invention, and illustrated in a foldedposition;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the combination bassinet andcarrying case and illustrating the cover therefor in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the combination bassinet and carryingcase illustrated in a partially unfolded posi tion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combination bassinet and carryingcase illustrated in a more complete unfolded position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the combination bassinet andcarrying case in an unfolded position with a portion of the sidewallbroken away to illustrate the reinforcement members therein;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the combination bassinet andcarrying case in an unfolded position with a portion of the side panelbroken away to illustrate the construction of one of the end panels;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in vertical section through the side andbottom walls of FIG. 5 along the lines 77 thereof showing most of thecovering materials removed and showing a portion of such materials in anexploded condition;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section through onesidewall of FIG. 5 along the lines 8-8 thereof; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the combination bassinet and carryingcase;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section along the lines1010 of FIG. 7 and illustrating the hinge; and

FIG. 11 is a view in vertical section of the hinge of FIG. 10 along thelines 1111 thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated acombination portable foldable bassinet and carrying case which asillustrated in FIG. 1 may be folded up to provide a compact,light-weight unit, and which as illustrated in FIG. 2 has room forcarrying additional equipment such as a baby blanket and the like, andwhich as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be unfolded by a minimumnumber of steps to provide a crib or bassinet.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 9 to describe the constructionof the combination bassinet and carrying case 20 of FIGS. 1 to 4 in theunfolded condition thereof, there is shown a generally rectangularbottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel longer edges 31 anda pair of substantially parallel shorter edges 32. Formed in the bottomwall 30 are a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines 33 extendingsubstantially parallel to the shorter edges 32 to define an end bottomwall portion 34a located between one of the shorter edges 32 and thefold line 33 nearest thereto, a central bottom wall portion 34b locatedbetween the bottom fold lines 33, and a second end bottom wall portion34c located between the other shorter edge 32 and the bottom fold line33 nearest thereto. Disposed in each of the bottom wall portions 34a,34b and 340, and conforming to the shape thereof, is a fiber board 35 toprovide rigidity for each of the bottom wall portions 34a, 34b and 340.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, it will be seen that a pair of spaced apartelongated bottom reinforcement members 36 are disposed in the bottomwall 30 and more particularly in the central bottom wall portion 34b,which bottom reinforcement members are substantially coextensive withthe shorter edges 32 of the bottom wall 30 and extend alongside ofrespective ones of the bottom fold lines 33. The bottom reinforcementmembers 36 are preferably formed of metal to give additional strengthand rigidity to the bottom wall 30. The bottom reinforcement members 36have on the ends thereof upturned flanges 37 for reasons to be explainedin detail hereinafter. Resting on the bottom wall 30 and substantiallycoextensive therewith is a mattress 38 formed of a relatively pliablematerial such as polyurethane foam to permit folding thereof and toprovide a soft surface for the baby.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a pair of generally rectangular upstandingside panels 40 having a pair of substantially parallel longer edges 41and a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges 42, the lower one ofthe shorter edges being joined to the portion of res ective ones of thelonger edges 31 of the bottom wall 30 adjacent the first end bottom wallportion 34a. Each of the side panels 40 have therein a fiber board (notshown) constructed of material similar to that used in the bottom wall30 thereby to provide a relatively strong and rigid pair of side panels.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a generally squareshaped first end panel theparallel side edges of which are respectively joined to the adjacentones of the longer edges 41 of the side panels 40, whereby a compartment58 (FIG. 2) is defined by the side panels 40, the end panel 50 and thefirst end bottom wall portion 34a of the bottom wall 30. The end panel50 is constructed of a plurality of layers as illustrated in FIG. 6,which layers include a fiber board 54 generally coextensive with the endpanel 50 and a layer of cushioning material 55 generally coextensivewith the end panel 50 which provides protection for the babys headdisposed near the e d p el 59- Furth r p ovided on the n ide of the enpanel 50 is a layer of flexible plastic material 56, which plasticmaterial additionally covers the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 30,the side panels 40, the end panels 50 and 100, the cover 60, and theside walls 70 thereby to provide a liquid and stain resistent surfacecovering the interior of the combination bassinet and carrying case 20.Formed on the outside of the panel 50 is a layer of decorative cloth 57,which cloth also covers the outer surfaces of the bottom wall 30, theside panels 40, the end panels 50 and 100, the cover 60, and thesidewalls 70, thereby to provide a decorative covering on the exteriorof the combination bassinet and carrying case 20.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises agenerally rectangular cover 60, one of the longer edges of which isfoldably joined to the upper edge of the end panel 50, which coverconforms generally to the shape of the first end bottom wall portion 34aof the bottom wall 30, whereby in the closed position thereof the cover60 overlies the upper ones of the shorter edges 42 of the side panels40, a hood being defined by the side panels 40, the end panel 50 and thecover 60 in the closed position thereof. Preferably, the fiber boards inthe cover 60, in the end panel 50 and in the bottom wall portions 34aand 34b are of unitary construction and scored at the junctions of theseparts to permit the cover 60 to be foldable and to provide the bottomfold line 33 between bottom wall portions 34a and 34b. Formed on theopposing shorter side edges of the cover 60 are a pair of flaps 63disposed adjacent to respective ones of the side panels 40 in the closedposition of the cover 60. Also provided is an interengageable lockingelement 54 comprising a piece of metal bent to form a slot 65 in thefiap 63, and a locking member hingedly joined to the side panel 40 andextending through the slot 65 and pivotable downwardly to lock the cover60 in the closed position thereof. A similar interengageable lockingelement (not shown) is provided on the other side panel 40. Alternately,each locking element could comprise a pair of mating snaps.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a pairof generally rectangular sidewalls each having a pair of parallel longeredges 71 and a pair of parallel shorter edges 72, the lower one of thelonger edges 71 being respectively foldably joined to the longer edges31 of the bottom wall 30. The longer edges are preferably coextensivewith the longer edges 31, whereby the lefthand (as viewed in FIG. 5)portion of each of the sidewalls 70 is disposed within the compartment58 and extends adjacent to respective ones of the upstanding side panels40. Formed in each of the sidewalls 70 are a pair of spaced apartparallel side fold lines 76 extending substantially parallel to theshorter edges 72 and aligned with respective ones of the bottom foldlines 33 in the bottom wall 30, to define an end sidewall portion 78a,located between one of the shorter edges 72 and the fold line 76 nearestthereto, a central sidwall portion 7811 located between the side foldlines 76 and a second end sidewall portion 780 located between the othershorter edge 72 and the side fold line 76 nearest thereto. Formed in thesecond end sidewall portion 780 of each of the sidewalls 70, is adiagonal side fold line 77 extending diagonally upwardly and toward thefirst end panel 50.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 8, a layer of cushioning material 74 isdisposed in the first end sidewall portion 78a and in the centralsidewall portion 7812, which cushioning material is similar to that usedin the first end panel 50 thereby to surround at least the upper portionof the babys body with soft material. Formed in each of the sidewallportions 78a, 78b and 780 and on either side of fold line 77 are fiberboards 73 to give rigidity to the sidewalls 70 the fiber boards beingsimilar in construction to the fiber boards in the bottom wall 30.

D po ed n a h of the idewalls 70 is a P f spaced apart elongatedvertical side reinforcement members 75 extending substantially parallelto and substantially coextensive with the sidewall shorter edges 72 andextending alongside of respective ones of the parallel side fold lines76 and aligned with respective ones of the bottom reinforcement members36. Connecting the upper ends of the vertical side reinforcement members75 is a horizontal side reinforcement member 79, whereby a frame isdefined by the reinforcement members 75 and 79 to give additionalstrength and rigidity to the sidewalls 70.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a set offour hinges 80 respectively joining the two vertical side reinforcementmembers 75 in one sidewall '70 and the two vertical side reinforcementmembers in the other sidewall to the adjacent ends of the bottomreinforcement members 36. More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. and11, the hinge 80 comprises a first body portion 81 joined by rivets 82or the like to the upturned flange 37 of the associated bottomreinforcement member 36. Formed in the body portion 81 are a pair of endfingers 83 rolled over at the upper ends thereof at 85 to define acylindrical opening therethrough. Between the end fingers 83 is formed aresilient central finger 84 extending beyond the rolled over portion 85.The hinge 80 further includes a second body portion 90 joined to thevertical side reinforcement member 75 by a rivet 99, the body portion 90having at one end thereof a depending finger rolled over at 91 to definea cylindrical opening communicating with the openings in the rolled overportions 85, with a pinion 95 extending through the rolled over portions85 and 91 to pivotally join the body portions 81 and 90.

The rolled over portion 91 has a projection 92 depending slightlydownwardly and towards the resilient central finger 84, which projection92 has an abutment surface 93 at the end surface thereof engaging theresilient central finger 84 when the vertical side reinforcement member75 is in a first position, namely when it extends normal to the bottomreinforcement member 36 (see FIG. 7 also). The projection 92 has asecond abutment surface 94 on the surface thereof facing the bottomreinforcement member 36, the abutment surface 94 engaging the resilientcentral finger 84 when the vertical side reinforcement member 75 is in asecond position, namely when it extends towards an opposing sidereinforcement member 75 and extends slightly downwardly toward thebottom'reinforcement member 36. At any position of the vertical sidereinforcement member 75 other than said first and second positions, thecorner formed by the abutment surfaces 93 and 94 engages the resilientfinger 84 and there will be a tendency for the vertical sidereinforcement members 75 to revert to either said first or said secondposition, whereby the hinge 80 has a spring biasing feature to cause thesidewalls 70 containing the vertical side reinforcement members 75 totend to snap between positions normal to or slightly toward the bottomwall 30 containing the bottom reinforcement member 36. As shown in FIG.7, the thickness of the mattress 38 which rests on the bottom wall 30 issuch that the top surface thereof is aligned with the rolled-overportions 85 and 91 of the hinge 80, whereby the sidewalls 70, in thedown position thereof, will be approximately parallel to the bottom wall30. The spring biasing feature of the hinges 80 causes the sidewalls 70,in the down position thereof, to retain the mattress 38 in place. Thehinge 80 further includes a bracket 96 having an attachment flange 97joined to the body portion 90 and to the vertical side reinforcementmember 75 by the rivets 99. Depending from one end of the attachmentflange 96 and normal thereto is a limiting flange 98 resting upon theupper edge of the resilient central finger 84 when the sidewalls 70 arein the upstanding position, thereby to limit the sidewalls 70 fromforming an angle of greater than 90 with the bottom wall 30.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a secondgenerally rectangular end panel 100 having the lower one of the longeredges thereof foldably joined to the adjacent shorter edge 32 of thebottom wall 30, the shorter side edges of the end panel 100 beingfoldably joined to respective ones of the side wall shorter edges 72opposite the first end panel 50.

As shown in FIG.4 a strap is connected to the outer surface of each ofthe side walls 70 for use in carrying the combination bassinet andcarrying case 20 in the unfolded position thereof. To shorten the lengthof the strap 105 when it is not in use, the mid-portion 104 thereof issnapped together at 106. Unsnapping the mid-portion 104 lengthens thestrap 105, whereby the strap 105 is adapted to carry the combinationbassinet and carrying case 10. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, thereis provided a strap 107 having the ends thereof attached to theupstanding side panels 40, which strap is useful in carrying thecombination bassinet and carrying case 20 in the folded positionthereof. A separable fastener such as a Zipper 110 has one portionthereof joined to the longer edge of the side panel 40 opposing the endpanel 50 and the mating portion thereof joined to the bottom wall longeredge 31 adjacent the central bottom wall portion 34b. A similar Zipper(not shown) is joined to the other side panel 40 and to the other of thelonger edges of the bottom wall 30.

In folding the combination bassinet and carrying case 20, the side walls70 are folded inwardly along the lower ones of the longer edges 71thereof and on the hinges 80 and along the diagonal side fold lines 77to overlie the bottom wall 30. The end panel 100 is then folded inwardlyalong the lower and side edges thereof and along the diagonal side foldlines 77 to overlie the bottom wall 30 and the sidewalls 70. The bottomwall 30, the sidewalls 70 and the end panel 100 are then foldedsuccessively on the bottom fold lines 33 and the parallel side foldlines 76 to a position wherein the central bottom wall, portion 34bextends substantially parallel to the end panel 50, the distance betweenthe bottom fold lines 33 being approximately equal to the height of theupstanding side panels 40 to completely close the compartment 58 whenthe cover 60' is locked in place. The end panel 100, the sidewalls 70,the bottom wall portion 340 and the mattress 38 of the bottom wall 30then extend within the compartment 58. The zippers 110 are then fastenedto maintain the combination bassinet and carrying case 20 in the closedposition thereof. If may be seen in FIG. 2 that the volume of thecompartment 58 taken up by the mattress 38, the end bottom wall portion34c, the sidewalls 70 and the end panel 100 in the folded positronthereof is less than the total volume of the compartment 58, whereby theremainder of the compartment 58 may be used to carry additionalequipment such as a baby blanket and the like. In unfolding thecombination bassinet and carrying case 20, the steps just described arereversed as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangularbottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and apair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apartbottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantiallyparallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wallportion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall andthe one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wallportion located between said pair of bottom fold lines, and a thirdbottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges ofsaid bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto,a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respectiveones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottomwall portions, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said oneshorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair ofside edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define ahollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion, apair of sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite said first endpanel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respective onesof the longer edges of said bottom wall, a second end panel having alower edge foldably joined to said other shorter edge of said bottomwall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges foldably joinedto respective ones of the shorter edges of said sidewalls, a pair ofparallel side fold lines formed in each of said sidewalls and extendingsubstantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof and aligned withrespective ones of said bottom fold lines in the bottom wall, a diagonalside fold line formed in the end portion of each of said sidewallsadjacent said second end panel and extending diagonally upwardly andtoward said first end panel, said sidewalls being foldable inwardlyalong the longer edges thereof and along said diagonal side fold linesto overlie said bottom wall, said second end panel being foldableinwardly along the lower and side edges thereof and along said diagonalside fold lines to overlie said bottom wall, said bottom wall and saidsidewalls being respectively foldable along said bottom fold lines andalong said parallel side fold lines to a position wherein said secondbottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to said first endpanel and wherein said second end panel and said side walls and saidthird bottom wall portion are disposed within said compartment.

2. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and furthercomprising a generally rectangular cover foldably joined to the upperedge of said first end panel and pivotable between an open position"wherein at least a portion of the interior of said compartment isexposed and a closed position wherein said cover overlies the upperedges of said upstanding side panels, whereby in the closed positionthereof a hood is defined by said first end panel, said side panels andsaid cover.

3. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 2, and furthercomprising a pair of flaps extending from respective opposing edges ofsaid cover and disposed adjacent to respective ones of said side panelsin the closed position of said cover, a first pair of interengageablelocking elements respectively on one of said side panels and one of saidflaps, and a second pair of interengageable locking elementsrespectively on the other of said side panels and the other of saidfiaps.

4. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and furthercomprising a pair of separable fastening means respectively on the edgeof each of said side panels opposing said first end panel andrespectively on the portion of the longer edges of said bottom wallbetween said pair of bottom fold lines.

5. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 4, and wherein eachof said separable fastening means is a zipper.

6. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and furthercomprising a first strap attached to the outer surfaces of said sidepanels for carrying the bassinet in a folded condition thereof, and apair of straps attached to respective ones of the outer surfaces of saidsidewalls for carrying the bassinet in an unfolded condition thereof.

7. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, wherein thedistance between said bottom fold lines in said bottom wall isapproximately equal to the height of said upstanding side panels.

8. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and furthercomprising a mattress resting on said bottom wall and substantiallycoextensive therewith, said mattress being formed of relatively pliablematerial to permit folding thereof along with said bottom wall.

9. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 8, wherein thevolume of said compartment taken up by said third bottom wall portion,said sidewalls and said second end panel, in the folded position thereofis less than the total volume of said compartment, whereby the remainderof said compartment may be used to carry equipment.

10. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and furthercomprising a pair of spaced apart elongated bottom reinforcement membersdisposed in said bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to andsubstantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof, a pair ofspaced apart elongated side reinforcement members disposed in each ofsaid sidewalls and extending substantially parallel to and substantiallycoextensive with the shorter edges thereof and aligned with said bottomreinforcement members, and four hinges individually joined to the endsof said bottom reinforcement members and to adjacent ones of the ends ofsaid side reinforcement members.

11. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 10, wherein eachof said hinges includes limiting means for precluding said sidewallsfrom forming an angle greater than approximately degrees with saidbottom wall, and spring biasing means for snapping said sidewalls topositions approximately normal to or parallel to said bottom wall.

12. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangularbottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and apair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apartbottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantiallyparallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wallportion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall andthe one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wallportion located between said pair of bottom fold lines and a thirdbottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges ofsaid bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto,a pair of elongated bottom reinforcement members disposed in said bottomwall and substantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof andextending alongside of respective ones of said bottom fold lines, a pairof upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respective ones ofthe longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottom wallportion, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said oneshorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair ofside edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define ahollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion, apair of sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite said first endpanel and each having a longer edge disposed adjacent to respective onesof the longer edges of said bottom wall, a second end panel having alower edge joined to said other shorter edge of said bottom wall, saidsecond end panel having a pair of side edges operably joined torespective ones of the shorter edges of said sidewalls, a pair ofparallel side fold lines formed in each of said sidewalls and extendingsubstantially parallel to said shorter edge thereof and aligned withrespective ones of said bottom fold lines in said bottom wall, a pair ofelongated side reinforcement members disposed in each of said sidewallsand substantially coextensive with the shorter edge thereof and alignedwith said bottom reinforcement members, and four hinges individuallyjoined to the ends of said bottom reinforcement members and to adjacentones of the end of said side reinforcement members, each of said hingesincluding limiting means for precluding said sidewalls from forming anangle greater than approximately 90 degrees with said bottom wall, eachof said hinges further including spring biasing means for snapping saidsidewalls to positions approximately normal to or parallel to saidbottom wall; said sidewalls being foldable inwardly on said hinges tooverlie said bottom wall, said second end panel being foldable inwardlyalong the lower edge thereof to overlie said bottom wall, said bottomwall and said sidewalls being respectively foldable along said bottomfold lines and along said parallel side fold lines to a position whereinsaid second bottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to saidfirst end panel and wherein said second end panel and said sidewalls andsaid third bottom wall position are disposed within said compartment.

13. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 12, and furthercomprising a diagonal side fold line formed in the end portion of eachof said side walls adjacent said second panel and extending diagonallyupwardly and toward said first end panel, with said side walls and saidsecond end panel being foldable inwardly along said diagonal side foldlines to overlie said bottom wall.

14. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangularbottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and apair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apartbottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantiallyparallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wallportion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall andthe one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wallportion located between said pair of bottom fold lines, and a thirdbottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges ofsaid bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto,a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respectiveones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottomwall portion, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said oneshorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair ofside edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define ahollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion apair of side walls each having a shorter edge opposite said first endpanel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respective onesof the longer edges of said bottom wall, a second end panel having alower edge foldably joined to said other shorter edge of said bottomwall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges operably joinedto respective ones of the shorter edges of said side walls, a pair ofparallel side fold lines formed in each of said sidewalls and extenldingsubstantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof and aligned withrespective ones of said bottom fold lines in said bottom wall, and apair of hinges pivotably joining respective ones of the longer edges ofsaid bottom wall to the longer edges of respective ones of said sidewalls, each of said hinges including means for precluding said sidewallsfrom forming an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees with saidbottom wall, each of said hinges including spring biasing means forsnapping said side walls to positions approximately normal to orparallel to said bottom wall, said side walls being foldable inwardly onsaid hinges to overlie said bottom wall, said second end panel beingfoldable inwardly along the lower edge thereof to overlie said bottomwall, said bottom wall and said side walls being respectively foldablealong said bottom fold lines and along said parallel side fold lines toa position wherein said second bottom wall portion extends substantiallyparallel to said first end panel and wherein said second end panel andsaid sidewalls and said third bottom wall portion are disposed withinsaid compartment.

15. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangularbottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and apair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced-apartbottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantiallyparallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wallportion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall andthe one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wallportion located between said pair of bottom fold lines, and a thirdbottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges ofsaid bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto,a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respectiveones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottomwall portions, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said oneshorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair ofside edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define ahollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion, apair of rigid sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite said firstend panel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respectiveones of the longer edges of said bottom wall, a generally rectangularcover foldably joined to the upper edge of said first end panel andpivotable between an open position wherein at least a portion of theinterior of said compartment is exposed and a closed position whereinsaid cover overlies the upper edges of said upstanding side panels,whereby in the closed position thereof a hood is defined by said firstend panel and said side panels and said cover, a second end panel havinga lower edge foldably joined to said other shorter edge of said bottomwall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges foldably joinedto respective ones of the shorter edges of said rigid side walls andextending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof andaligned with respective ones of said bottom fold lines in the bottomwall, a diagonal side fold line formed in the end portion of each ofsaid rigid side walls adjacent said second end panel and extendingdiagonally upwardly and toward said first end panel, said rigid sidewalls being foldable inwardly along the longer edge thereof and alongsaid diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall, said secondend panel being foldable inwardly along the lower and side edges thereofand along said diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall,said bottom wall and said rigid side walls being respectively foldablealong said bottom fold lines and along said parallel side fold lines toa position wherein said second bottom wall portion extends substantiallyparallel to said first end panel and wherein said second end panel andsaid rigid side walls and said third bottom wall portion are disposedwithin said compartment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,738,521 3/1956 Billgren 5-992,823,390 2/1958 Hagehfeldt 5-99 2,908,020 10/1959 Barton 599 3,096,9177/1963 Gudiksen 224-6 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.598; 224-6

